Here’s my friendly warning to all you “Stelena” fans: You might want to take tomorrow off from work — or school, whatever — because tonight’s episode of The Vampire Diaries is going to leave you drained. In so many ways. HollywoodLife.com attended a special screening of the Sept. 29 episode, “The End of the Affair,” after which co-creator Julie Plec revealed that tonight’s hour is really “just the beginning” of some major bumps in the road for Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena (Nina Dobrev.)

“This [episode] is a big deal for the Stefan and Elena relationship,” Plec said. “In her plucky little heart, Elena — while she’s very realistic and understands the realities of the world — is also this overly compassionate savior of her friends and loved ones.”

But on tonight’s episode, in which Elena and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) head to Chicago to track down Stefan, Elena quickly learns that saving her precious Ripper is easier said than done. In fact, it might not be possible at all.

“We’re going to see that theme continue a lot through this season,” Plec added. “[Elena] struggles with her desire to help rescue this hero in her life … but also the realities of learning the lesson that you can’t necessarily let yourself be consumed in your own life by saving someone else’s.”

I guess that leaves Elena flying solo for a while — unless, of course, there’s another vampire in her life who suddenly becomes interested in her. Have I forgotten about someone?

“As for where this leaves her with Damon, there’s yet to be an admission of that chemistry from her part,” Plec said. “In fact, [the Oct. 6] episode kind of illuminates that a little bit. A lot’s gone unsaid. There’s a big elephant in the room, as far as all these fun, stolen moments and romantic banter and their dynamic with each other. It hasn’t gone unnoticed with other people.”

Well that’s an understatement. Elena’s friends — and viewers at home — are well aware of the heat between those two. But what do you think? Should Elena continue to fight for Stefan, despite the difficulties, or should she just give up and be with the guy who’s actually there for her?